Let's Be Outdoorsyhttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com
India's Online Magazine for Outdoor, Fitness and SportsFri, 22 Feb 2019 10:11:57 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.12http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cropped-lbo-fav-32x32.pngLet's Be Outdoorsyhttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com
3232104663673On Assignment for Ganga Kayak Festival 2019 : Part 1http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/22/on-assignment-for-ganga-kayak-festival-2019-part-1/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/22/on-assignment-for-ganga-kayak-festival-2019-part-1/#respondFri, 22 Feb 2019 10:11:57 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5138The last few days have been a celebration of rapids like never before as members of the LBO crew were stationed at the breathtaking Devprayag for a week long celebration of India’s best kayakers. Covering the 7th edition of the Ganga Kayak Festival, living by the confluence, listening to the raging rapids and reporting live from all the action – it has been an experience we thoroughly enjoyed. The trials of the sport, the tough rigours of the region and yet the calming sense that prevails in the spiritual town of Devprayag – here’s a synthesis of all that we experienced during the festival.

Every year, the founders of The Ganga Kayak Festival bring together the best of India’s kayakers and connect both national and international participants for the love of the sport in the beautiful town of Devprayag. This year, there were 54 participants at the event out of which there were 50 men, four women and four international athletes. Uttarakhand Tourism was the title sponsor of Ganga Kayak Festival 2019 and had set attractive prize monies to encourage budding kayakers and promote the beauty of Uttarakhand.

The first day of the festival started by waking up to the beautiful sight of the sacred river Ganga draped in emerald rapids, basking in the glory of the Himalayas around her. We treated our taste buds to some hot piping chai, noodles and parathas for breakfast before heading out to catch our ride. And we were surprised to be greeted by the founder Mr. Bhupendra Singh Rana (Bhupi) and the president Mr. Bheem Singh Chauhan of the festival. They had just about managed to reach Devprayag minutes before the briefing and as we drove to the venue; they narrated how it took them over five hours to reach us due to landslides enroute. That’s how tough the terrain is, but clearly the organisers are tougher.

We then headed to the Sangam Ghat, the registration venue where all participants, spectators, organizers and volunteers collected their t-shirts and athletes were lined up to register. Mr. Harender Singh Rawat, the master of ceremonies of the event invited Bhupi to the stage. He went on to introduce the participants, athletes, sponsors and organizers. The chief guest Mr. Krishnakant Kotiyal, Chairman of the Muncipal Council warmly welcomed everyone to Devprayag, Uttarakhand and motivated the participants.

After taking blessings of the sacred river Ganga during the aarti, the athletes collected their bibs and were all set to begin. Imagine the great suspension bridge of the valley, you could see a huge crowd of locals, media crew, tourists glued to one side of the bridge for a clear view of the race start. As soon as each kayaker splashed through the rapids down below and crossed to the other side of the river, the entire bridge and everyone on it swung to the other side, rushing along with the athlete from above.

Down River Sprint (Men) was the first race of the event. Kayakers had to navigate through the rapids and the fastest to reach the finish line would be declared winner. In a matter of a few hours, the athletes zipped down the rapids one after the other; some toppled over, some swam across but a few managed to ace through the race.

The Camp Sea Hawk rescue raft and kayaker team members were available on standby by the edge of the rapids, photographers were bobbing about for the best shots, judges recorded the best time of all the athletes and it was all quite a show for spectators watching the action along the river.

While the adults savoured the rush of the kayakers and rapids, the children of Devprayag were invited for some fun rescue games by the organisers. We could see so many of them inspired to participate and know more about the sport.

It was amazing to note that over 40 participants were from the nearby village of Sirasu. What’s so special about this village you may ask? Bhupi, the founder of Ganga Kayak Festival belongs to this village to begin with and here’s something interesting that we found out. Harender Singh Rawat, who runs Nomad Trails said, “There is a kayaker born in every family of this village. The children of Sirasu learn to kayak well before they can even walk.”

Bhupi who runs Rescue India, shared with us, how over the years, athletes from this village have been invited to work as rescue kayakers in Norway, Iceland, Africa, USA, Iran and more white water destinations across the globe.

So it wasn’t a surprise to see athletes in the top then from this village. Amit Thapa from India was declared winner of the Down River Sprint followed by Kazanskiy Vladmir from Russia and Daman Singh from India.

And with that we came to the end of an action packed race. Everyone took their time to relax and soak in the calming vibe around the confluence and as the sun took a breather behind the candy clouds, we all made way to the local cafe for a hot cuppa chai and bun makkhan (butter), saving the sights of the holy town of Devprayag.

The day didn’t end here, we had ahead of us an evening full of music, dance and bright smiles of the local village kids. But to reach the venue, we all had a workout ahead of us. The cultural evening was set at Ram Mandir, and while 50 steps may sound easy, they were the steepest steps we’ve ever encountered. Everyone greeted us with a loud cheer as we summited those steps and reached the temple! The climb was worth it as we got to experience their traditional Gadhwali and Kumoani dance forms. The children and members of the Dehradun Sanskriti Mandal enthralled all of us with their innocence and charm. At the end, everyone joined in the dance and the party was officially on.

The first day at the Ganga Kayak Festival saw some enthusiastic performers conquering gushing rapids. It was thrilling to see kayakers rush back and forth through the rapids and then climb up back again carrying their heavy kayaks and yet performing with utmost zeal. The community support encouraged the participants to prep better for tomorrow and put forth their best for Day 2 ahead.

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/22/on-assignment-for-ganga-kayak-festival-2019-part-1/feed/05138Celebrating Love, The Outdoorsy Wayhttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/14/inspiring-outdoorsy-couples-valentines-day/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/14/inspiring-outdoorsy-couples-valentines-day/#commentsThu, 14 Feb 2019 06:42:30 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5101Love is in the air, isn’t it? We felt the warm vibes too while we chatted with some of our favourite outdoorsy couples. Being outdoorsy is their way of life and it is amazing to see how nature has helped them spiritually bond with each other even better. Read on to meet four such couples who celebrate love, the outdoorsy way.

Deepa and her husband Pradeep Katrodia have been prepping for triathlons together for quite a few years. In fact, Deepa shares that Pradeep is the one who constantly motivates her to participate in outdoor events across the world. Apart from owning a chemical business, Pradeep is also a Ironman certified triathlete coach, whereas Deepa is a Reebok fitness instructor. Their morning walks transitioned to running and in no time they had already registered for their first half marathon. This power-pack couple has been participating in triathlons and cycling events ever since.

“Being outdoors together has done so much good for us that it is difficult to think of a situation where we are not going out. When you are outdoors, there are so many things happening, you have to have good communication with each other. Also, it’s not that all the time it will be okay or things will be alright. There were many times when things don’t turn out as we wanted, there could be setbacks, so you have to be with each other in many better ways.” says Pradeep

Deepa added, “Also, it helps keep us humble. When in our own routine, we take things for granted, we don’t look beyond our own self. But when you are in the outdoors, you realize how the basic things are all that we need and we should care for.”

Being outdoors also helps them get refreshed and cope with day-to-day chores with new found vigour, which helps them connect with each other and bond better. Isn’t it fascinating how people find their way of life and even love with the simplest form of being outdoorsy?

Nrupal and Sabita Choudhari found each other in Ladakh in 2007. They are married now, or should we say “long distance married!” Yes you read that right. Nrupal resides in Mumbai while Sabita is in Banglore. These lovers set out for an adventure together whenever they get time.

Nrupal said, “The outdoors bring out the best in us and also the place where we can totally be ourselves. We enjoy the conversations as well as the silence.”

We totally agree, sometimes the silence connects you the way words can’t. They even add what they love about their journeys together. Sabita said, “Discovering a new place through long walks – be it busy cities like Sydney or Shanghai, or small Himalayan villages like Sojha or Sonapani and exploring food options.”

Nrupal adds, “Connecting with nature is our kind of outdoorsy. It does not have to always be trekking in the great outdoors, but also exploring public parks, tree-lined avenues and canopied lanes.”

So you see, outdoors is not just about being adventurous; it can even simply be strolling along a forest path with your special someone.

Kavita and Hemant Khosla bring the outdoors to to their neighbourhood, literally! In the urban communities we live in, life tends to get grey but the communities we live in help us thrive and keep the love strong. And when you take that love and make something beautiful, something green out of it – that’s what we call the magic of the outdoors. Kavita and her spouse Hemant have been practicing community farming together in Mumbai city for years now. Converting grey landscapes into food forests together is what they enjoy the most in their outdoorsy way of life.

“At the Urban Leaves community farm, I take care of all the details of what is to be planted; including the aesthetics and the layout. Hemant goes with the flow and sees to it that everyone understands what is to be done and asks the volunteers to do the needful. We do have our share of differences but that’s what makes our relationship more stronger.”

There’s an invisible bond between two loving people, we seldom think about what makes it stronger. What makes us stick around with the people we love?

We asked Rekha Shetty and Sushant Yattam, who have been going on adventures together since their twenties. “When you are in the outdoors with the minimal luxuries of life, you start adjusting and accommodating. And this is very important for everyday life too, where you need to understand that we need to be content and happy in whatever situation we might be in. You get to know each other’s vulnerabilities and weaknesses too.”

They even add that, “Our kind of outdoorsy is being as close to nature as possible. Right from trekking to camping to forest to beaches, we like everything.”

Sushant heads marketing and content at a media company and Rekha works as a freelance content strategist, brand consultant, social venture expert and has won few accolades in this space. They both love exploring outdoors and adventure and have been on many treks and bike rides together.

Love comes in all forms. It doens’t have to be the romantic kind, soulmates after all come in all shapes and forms. Who knows you might find a friend out there or maybe you will fall in love with your Mom again while y’all walk on the beach and indulge in deep conversations too. These were some of the endearing love stories we got our hands own. Step out, maybe yours is waiting somewhere in the outdoors!

Share with us stories of your love in the outdoors, we’d love to hear from you. Do write in your comments in the box below or write to us at letsbeoutdoorsy@gmail.com

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/14/inspiring-outdoorsy-couples-valentines-day/feed/15101India’s First Kayaking Festival Celebrates The 7th Editionhttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/13/indias-first-kayaking-festival-celebrates-the-7th-edition/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/13/indias-first-kayaking-festival-celebrates-the-7th-edition/#respondWed, 13 Feb 2019 06:45:35 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5098Rishikesh 17th-19th February, 2019: The seventh edition of the Ganga Kayak festival is slated for the 17th of February in Devprayag, Uttarakhand. It is India’s first kayaking festival and will see over hundred national and international kayakers compete for the grand prize. The Adventure Sports Society has been organizing the Ganga Kayak Festival (GKF) since 2013 with the help of other kayakers and local communities.

Ganga Kayak Festival was founded by Bhupendra Singh Rana and supported by the core team Bheem Chauhan (President), Harendra Rawat (Secretary) and members Sandeep Rana, Vishal Bhandari, Dhruv Naresh Rana, Ayodhya Prasad and many more.

Their goal and vision is to bring world champions and international paddlers to participate and entice the world with the beauty of Uttarakhand, India, making it the best kayaking festival in the world.

The three-day event provides a platform for athletes to showcase their skills at an international, competitive level. Since they have introduced this festival, there has been a revolution in the mentality of Indian river rafting and kayaking professionals. With majority of these local athletes working full-time as river guides and safety kayakers, they now want to bring their professional white-water careers to the forefront with various levels of training and safety skills. This is vital as the the safer the river is, the more travellers will be drawn to the state of Uttarakhand. The Ganga Kayak Festival has played a big role in bringing together the rafting and kayaking community in Uttarakhand and to travellers as a safe adventure sports destination.

They have had massive support from the local communities and members of the industry who have been running their individual outdoor companies as paddlers in India. The festival as been recognised on international media and brands in the outdoor industry. A lot of young guides have received job opportunities thanks to this and are working as International river guides around the world.

Uttarakhand Tourism has been a driving force behind this festival since 2014 and is also the title sponsor this year along with NRS (Co-sponsor) Powered by Jellyfish Watersports, along with Indo Ganga Holidays Pvt. Ltd., Level Six and Bailley Water as sponsor partners.

The event will be photographed and filmed by The Black Country Films and will be organized by White World Expeditions, Rescue India, Nomad trails India and Camp Moonlight. Dainik Jagran as the media partner and Let’s Be Outdoorsy as the content partner will cover the event for all days.

The festival promises to encourage more female athletes participate this year. The Indian canoe slalom team apart from Sunita Chauhan, Naina Adhikari and a Norwegian paddler are the top-ranking athletes who will potentially be participating this year. Team Inspire Crew, a women-led adventure videography crew will help document and empower more female kayakers during the festival.

The international contingent includes a list of Olympian paddlers and world champions who are extremely interested in visiting this year. Mike Dawson, Sam Sutton, Joe Morley, James Bebbington are just a few of the international names that will potentially compete this year.

With the eclectic surroundings of Rishikesh and the sacred Deoprayag as the ideal setting for Uttarkhand’s annual celebration of the white water rapids, this edition promises to be an adrenaline pumping week for participants and spectators alike. To know more visit http://www.gangakayakfestival.org/

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/02/13/indias-first-kayaking-festival-celebrates-the-7th-edition/feed/05098All You Need To Know About Community Farminghttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/23/all-you-need-to-know-about-community-farming/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/23/all-you-need-to-know-about-community-farming/#respondWed, 23 Jan 2019 08:37:59 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5054If you are looking for glimpses of green in your neighbourhood, look no further than your nearest community farm. While the idea of community farms is new to Indian cities, individuals have been trying to come up with novel ideas to tackle the urban waste issues. And community farmers have found the simplest solutions to waste management issues of a city. Here’s a lowdown on all you need to know about community farming.

Urban Citizens Growing Food Together

A senior citizen with a love for gardening could simply encourage youngsters to help her potter around in the garden, making saplings, sowing seeds, tilling the land, in exchange for not money but great good! That’s how most community farms begin – sharing of resources, labour, knowledge, space and a mutual love for being amidst nature.

Get Involved by Composting at Home

The first step towards being welcomed at a community farm is to go with your first batch of compost. Follow the simple methods of kitchen composting to process the fruit and veggie peels you would normally throw away at home. And once its ready, take your first batch of compost to feed the plants growing at the community farm. You say you don’t have the space to do this? No problem, how about finding out if your neighbourhood community farm can help you process your wet waste into compost?

Community farms are in constant need of volunteers to help out with labour, seeds, saplings, transport and so on. So if you think getting your hands dirty is not for you, then there are so many other tasks that you can help our with. Better yet, if you have the space, you can put the word out and call for volunteers to setup a whole new community farm in your neighbourhood.

Waste to Wealth Ideas

You might have seen your neighbourhood streets littered with dry leaves lately? Wait before your strike that match and make everyone run away from the smoke of the burning leaves. In community farms, these leaves are precious cargo. “We collect leaves in bags and take it to the community farm. There is a method we use to convert these leaves into compost similar to kitchen composting”

So now you see how you can clean up the city along with contributing some special resources to your neighbourhood community farm.

Gobar

We all know how sacred our cows are in India. We consider her as a ‘mother’ and like a mother she gives us her all. You might have seen how people of all age groups, young and old alike, when they see a cow, they touch her very reverently. We all know how cow dung is an excellent natural fertilizer for our plants. You can use it too! It’s easy, it’s convenient and it’s very beneficial. You can follow the simple steps of making the cow dung manure and then use it in your community farm and in your home as well.

Sugarcane Bagasse

Sugarcane might only be one of the few things which is completely used. Right from crushing it and making a juice to using its bagasse as a farm fertilizer. Did you know that for every 10 tonnes of sugarcane crushed, a sugar factory produces nearly 3 tonnes of wet bagasse? You might not be able to use bagasse directly in the plants. You can add manure and dry leaves and make it a compost.

Bringing Back Barter

You will rarely ever see money doing the rounds at a community farm. Simply because everyone shares everything. If someone has excess of plants, they share those to be planted at the community. If someone has seeds from their travels, they bring those to the farm and make saplings. And on most occasions, after a hard day of farm work, someone will open up a box of fragrant home-made snacks – food and recipes are probably the most you will see exchanged at a community farm!

What’s beautiful about community farms is the camaraderie, the sharing of ideas, knowledge, food, culture and stories – you will never feel alone at a community farm.

You Can Join a Community Farm Now

If you haven’t already rushed to your nearest community farm, we’ve got you sorted. Here’s a list of farms in and around your city. You can head there every week and help our with farm work, make some awesome friends and share the harvest. Don’t forget to make some delish recipes with your harvest and share them with us too.

1) Green Souls, Navi Mumbai

Set up in the Tata hospital campus in Kharghar, Green Souls volunteers’ share their harvest with the children living in the campus. They grow over 50 varieties of seasonal vegetables, herbs, fruits and medicinal plants. It’s great to see the community farm welcoming children, parents, students and working professionals on a weekly basis, You can visit : https://www.greensouls.in/

Inspired by the teachings of Prof. S A Dabholkar of starting a ‘Prayog Parivar’, the Urban Leaves started this venture in 2001. ‘Amrit Mitti’ is a special soil made solely out of dry leaves. Their mission is to ‘Experiment and learn different ways of growing’. You can visit: www.urbanleaves.org

‘Not a single dry leaf should be burnt in India’ is Brown Leaf’s mission statement. Set in the city of Pune, the volunteers in Brown Leaf utilized around 5000 bags of dry leaves for composting and mulching. They have a ‘Leaf Exchange’ program where people can contact each other if they want or have dry leaves. You can read more about them at: https://brownleaf.org/

4) Solitude Farm, Auroville, Tamil Nadu

Started by Krishna Mckenzie in 1996, they believe that their profits should be nutritional rather than financial. They believe that to bring any meaningful social change they have to bring people together. You can also visit the farm cafe while you’re there. The food there is cooked directly from the vegetables grown on the farm. You can visit : http://aurovillepermaculture.in/

Best time to volunteer: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm

5) Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, Hyderabad, Telangana

Located in Hyderabad, Aranya Agricultural Alternatives is an NGO started by Padma Koppula in the year 1999. They have two farms of their own on which community farming is done and a lot of projects under their belt. They welcome volunteers and even students looking for internship ranging for a period of three months and above. You can visit: http://permacultureindia.org/

If you’d like to share your experiences at a community farm, share your story here or write to us at letsbeoutdoorsy@gmail.com

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/23/all-you-need-to-know-about-community-farming/feed/05054All You Need To Know About Triathlons in Indiahttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/19/all-you-need-to-know-about-triathlons-in-india/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/19/all-you-need-to-know-about-triathlons-in-india/#respondSat, 19 Jan 2019 08:33:38 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5016Visualise yourself powered by a goal to swim, bike and run, in that order for a race. Three of the simplest, best known workouts have come together in recent years to be known as the triathlon. While this multisport was invented a couple of decades ago, India’s amateur athletes are smitten now and are travelling for races across the globe. Here’s a lowdown on all you need to know about the triathlon scene in India and how you can get started.

What’s The Sport About

Anu Vaidyanathan is a name that triathletes worth their metal will know of as the first Indian to ace this sport. A multi-sport that requires you to clock a swim – ideally in the open waters, a bike ride and a run, over various distances in a continuous sequence. She not only made a name for herself as an Indian triathlete to participate and complete a full Ironman race but also went on to be the first Asian triathlete to compete in an ultra triathlon.

It took a while for other amateur athletes to follow in her footsteps but her zeal sure did inspire many clubs to organise local triathlons; many of which have now become a yearly pilgrimage for athletes from across the world.

It is a sport that requires epic dedication, time management and a fair bit of crazy. It is an advantage if you pursue any of the three sports and are looking for more. Each of the three sports complement each other, use a different muscle group if you train well and can be extremely rewarding; if done right. It is a gender-neutral sport, that just needs you to show up for training each day. And you can keep it as simple, with the most basic gear or amp it up with the latest accessories and tools in your shopping list – it sure has a varied range of people hooked on.

Infrastructure and Access

Its a tough sport, not without its share of troubles. But Indians are finding every way possible to ride over them, infrastructure and access being the most vital.

Swimming in the open waters is the best way to train for the first leg of this multi-sport. India has quite a few calm water bodies to practice at. And for those of you living in the central states, lakes and rivers provide an alternative to train.

Safety from drowning and security from wild animals in the open waters is a threat that needs to be urgently addressed. And clubs from all across the country are working with life guard associations to streamline the process.

While few clubs in cities have pools that give access to non-members, it is the government pools and YMCAs that support the growth of the sport and the training for athletes – both at the amateur and pro levels. However, data and documentation, availability of access to deserving athletes is still in the grey for quite a few.

That’s where private corporations are standing up and supporting promising athletes with their nutrition, clothing, travel and training requirements. While it’s not enough, it sure helps ease the stress that athletes have to go through.

Amateur athletes have in recent years been travelling across the globe to participate in coveted triathlons. These are corporate honchos, working professionals and entrepreneurs who have a hectic day-job but make sure to train hard and participate in global races to test their limits. Names like Kaustabh Radkar, Prithviraj Patil, Salonie Pathania, Mehul Ved, Milind Soman and hundreds more have travelled across the globe to make India proud.

India will see our first ever Ironman triathlon, a 70.3 distance by the Ironman brand of The World Triathlon Corporation this year in October 2019.

While it is an opportunity for aspiring athletes to test their endurance levels, there have been some amazing homegrown triathlons that have helped shape Indian amateur athletes.

Endurosports has been organising swimathons, duathlons and triathlons for adults and kids in Goa for over five years now. The triathlon takes place each year in the month of January and they have a range of super sprint, Olympic and half distances. It is one of the few triathlons in the country with an open water swim.

The Deccan Triathlon is organised by the Kolhapur sports in the district of Kolhapur in Maharashtra. it is organised each year in the month of November and you can choose to participate in a sprint or Olympic category. It is one of the few triathlons in the country with an open water swim.

The Tri Thonnur is another favourite that many amateur triathletes head to in Mysore each year. Organised by the Enduro team, it takes place around September of each year and has the sprint, olympic, half distances for you to participate in.

There are quite a few more organisers of pool swim triathlons that are being organised across the country including the Delhi International Triathlon and more. Keep a look out for one coming up in your city to get a taste of this multisport.

Training and Nutrition

This is a young sport in the country and there are many avenues you can explore for training. Many athletes who have successfully completed triathlons across the globe are getting certified as coaches that you can sign up with. Make sure to research whether their style will work for you, maybe do a trail period with them to see if their methods work for you. Yoska and Radstrong are coveted clubs that are churning out tri-champs with their scientific training programs and international associations.

Make sure to not rush into training though and keep a check on what your body says. Keep your physio and family doctors in the loop of your training and nutrition plans before you go all out pursuing this crazy life.

If you have a tri story to share with us, do leave us a note here or write in to us at letsbeoutdoorsy@gmail.com

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/19/all-you-need-to-know-about-triathlons-in-india/feed/05016Don’t Be a Spectator, Go Volunteer at Outdoor Sporting Eventshttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/dont-be-a-spectator-go-volunteer-at-outdoor-sporting-events/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/dont-be-a-spectator-go-volunteer-at-outdoor-sporting-events/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 11:02:58 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=4986Do you have dreams of going surfing and cycling all over the country without having to care for the money? Are you a sports enthusiast but are time bound or with financial limitations? Here’s a way you can tackle both problems – look at volunteering at all the upcoming adventure sports and outdoor festivals around the country. 2019 is packed with outdoor and sporting events and festivals that welcome volunteer support. Here’s a lowdown on all you can choose from.

Why Volunteer?

“Volunteering cannot be explained in words until you have experienced it. It is an amazing experience and I have learnt a lot in a span of a week. There are situations wherein you have to take a tough call and it should be right. It is fun and adventurous and you even get to travel to different places.”

– Srivatsan G. was the Hospitality volunteer at Tour of Nilgiris 2019

Volunteering at an outdoor or sports event is an epic opportunity to get to know yourself and your abilities. It keeps you off your daily rut and makes you feel alive again. Being so close to sporting legends is an added perk. Besides, you can be a part of the epic events across the globe. India’s outdoor sporting events like the Ganga Kayak Festival, India Surf Festival, The Tour of Nilgiris require an army of active volunteers to help them run the show.

Keep In Mind Before Volunteering

The time spent while volunteering at any of these championships or festivals will be a whole new experience. Being more specific about the skill-set you can provide will add to your basic day-to-day tasks on the job.

“How TFN works on a daily basis is, TFN covers a distance between 130-150 kms everyday in some of the most remote locations where many times there is no access to phone connectivity, network and data. So we at TFN empower volunteers to take decisions based on whatever need that is there and back them up in whatever decision they have taken. A lot of trust and capacity building is provided to a lot of volunteers and they keep reaching the benefits of really good decision making that volunteers bring. Additionally, they are taught that it is not something that we plan but something that happens because we are so involved in it, they also have a sense of ownership for the event. They make TFN a part of their own event, something that they have to uphold. It’s a very enduring activity when they start looking at it that way. For TFN how it helps is I have really capable people who are taking care and providing the best experience to every participant on the tour simply because of things like these. There is no delay in decision making, there is no delay in taking care or providing their best support and I think that’s where volunteers actually provide the immense value,” says Karthik Ponnapa one of the core organisers of The Tour of Nilgiris.

You can take a break from your 9×5 job, travel the world, make new friends and learn so much. As a volunteer, you can help with organising and managing of the event and your role could be anything from handling social media to ushering the champions to their games to even being the ball boy/girl during the event. You could also help in event logistics, registrations, hospitality, social media and more. Volunteers are needed for things like stewarding, driving, transporting things to and fro, looking after the athletes, maintaining protocol at award ceremonies and more.

You enhance your skills and sharpen your knowledge right from the event preparations to the end day. It is a fun experience with a lifetime of memories and friends.

“Volunteers fill in the position of need. They are the backbone of an event. It’s their hard work and support that results in a good event. Young people with vibrant energy enlightens not only the event but also the morale of the participants. One of our volunteer was so inspired by the sport she did a duathlon last year and will be participating in a triathlon too. It is a challenging experience but the end result is all their hard work.”

The procedure begins with filling the registration form available on the websites of the respective sporting events or outdoor festivals; and if not that then writing a mail to the organisers personally. Post that, either you get a reply mail or a call giving you further details. Sometimes a panel interview is conducted in order to know more about you and the specific role you can be assigned for the event. Once you are selected, you are briefed about the schedule of how the live volunteering process will be pursued. Most importantly, you also get the training of how to gel and mingle with your role models at the championships.

So now if you aren’t an athlete, not a spectator but still want to be a part of your favourite sport or an outdoor activity; you can do that by reserving your place as a volunteer and gain the opportunity of being one of the spokes in the wheel of a great sporting event. It’s just a click away. By volunteering for such events you get to witness the whole championship up close – which indeed is a great experience over all.

The Adventure Sports Society is organizing Ganga Kayak Festival 2019 from 17th -19th February 2019. It provides a platform for kayakers to showcase their skills on a competitive level. The event takes place in Rishikesh.

Jellyfish Watersports in association with Clean Rivers Initiative is organizing the Chaliyar River Challenge 2019 from 20th-22nd September 2019. It is a kayaking expedition at Chaliyar, one of the gorgeous rivers of India at Calicut.

Goodwave Adventure with the support of Kerela Tourism is organizing the Malabar River Festival 2019 from 18-21st July 2019. A white water kayaking festival in the South of India that calls many paddlers to compete on Iruvanjhipuzha and Chalipuzha Rivers in Kerela.

Deepak Majipatil and Karthik Ponnapa founders of Tour of Nilgiris are organizing Tour of Nilgiris 2019 from 15th-22nd December 2019. It is one of the most challenging cycling tours in India and one of the best in Asia held every year starting from Karnataka.

If you’d like to share with us other such outdoor sporting events that you have volunteered at and your experience, do write in to us at letsbeoutdoorsy@gmail.com

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/dont-be-a-spectator-go-volunteer-at-outdoor-sporting-events/feed/04986ATOAI Convention 17th-19th January – Araku Valley Welcomes Delegateshttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/atoai-convention-17th-19th-january-araku-valley-welcomes-delegates/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/atoai-convention-17th-19th-january-araku-valley-welcomes-delegates/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 07:07:49 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=5014Andhra Pradesh: The 14th Annual Convention of ATOAI is being held in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh from 17th to 19th January 2019. The theme of the convention this year is Adventure Travel: Future Challenges and Opportunities in the digital age.

ATOAI has been setting a record of taking the convention each year to emerging hot spots in the country; a great way to showcase to national and international delegates their potential as adventure tourism destinations. Bringing into focus, new as well as established adventure products, bringing investment opportunities to the adventure travel fraternity and providing networking opportunities with the local stakeholders. By going to Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh this year, their objective is to showcase the potential of adventure tourism activities and properties the state has to offer.

The convention will offer a mix of activities keeping with the tradition of active tour operators along with brainstorming sessions, and helping us look at the outdoor adventure industry through new perspectives. Today’s business challenges need to be addressed jointly and understood in collaboration. The convention will be a one-stop-shop for India’s adventure and outdoor industry.

Araku Valley is an amazing hill station, one of unfathomable beauty that lures travellers with its breath-taking landscapes and pleasant weather. It is located 115 km from Vizag airport, a 3 hour drive. The region has a plathora of all the things that spell adventure. It is abundant in natural resources including caves, hills, gradients, water bodies and more. It is not densely populated and has large open areas, vast swathes of terrain that could be developed or used to make it an important emerging adventure travel destination.

“The Araku convention is being vitalized by a packed activity schedule which will have delegates explore and experience paramotoring, hot air ballooning, zorbing, high ropes, zip line, kayaking and ATVs. The conference and exhibition arena is set in the outdoors at the Forest Institute which was recently also the venue for the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting.”

“Interspersed with sessions, networking, and activity away from the resident enclave; the evenings are opportunities to savor local Dimsa dance, exchange moments of each others notable moments, renew and make new alliances,” said Vaibhav Kala, Convention Chairman.

The ATOAI group achieved a list of commendable goals last year. The year 2018 was notable as they launched the Adventure Travel Safety Guidelines which herald a new area of safety in adventure travel across all States. This will be a landmark in the adventure travel timeline in India. The ATOAI group helped bring the biggest gathering of overseas buyers through ATTA to Bhopal at AdventureNext, which we aim to propagate across the country to other States.

“We helped with the Kerela floods by sending a team to help with rescue and also worked towards the clean up of the Gangotri route and Stok Kangri basecamps, trained over a 100 guides in CPR and First Aid in Uttarakhand,” said Capt. Swadesh Kumar- President ATOAI.

The Co-Chairman of the Convention is Andhra Pradesh’s Shekhar Babu, who is an Everester himself and has the mantle of helping over 24 climbers from this State reach the summit of Everest. The convention will offer structured opportunities for the travel trade and tourism boards to network for business development. These include networking sessions and a Buyer – Seller Expo where companies may take up table space to promote their products and services.

ATOAI is expecting over 250 participants mostly the leading adventure tour operators, hotels, DMCs, State Tourism Boards, travel trade from Andhra Pradesh as well as the neighbouring states in South India, officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the bloggers, Influencers, Travel Trade Media and other Key media companies to interact and network during the convention days.

About ATOAI
The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India was founded in 1994 with handful of members. Now
it is a national body comprising more than 500 members from across the country and abroad, actively
promoting adventure and eco-tourism in India. The association was founded with an aim to create
awareness about the immense potential for adventure tourism in India and to harness this potential in a
safe, sensitive and environment friendly manner.

ATOAI members are recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/16/atoai-convention-17th-19th-january-araku-valley-welcomes-delegates/feed/05014All You Need To Know About Trail Runninghttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/08/how-to-start-trail-running-india/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/08/how-to-start-trail-running-india/#respondTue, 08 Jan 2019 10:08:30 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=4957India has witnessed a running revolution in recent years. From a couch to 5k to marathons and ultra marathons. But what’s great is that the old-school ways of trail running are also getting many takers. So what sets trail running apart from its more popular counterpart (road running) and what all do you need to know to get started on a trail? Here’s a lowdown of all you need to know about trail running.

Nothing compares to the feeling of working out amidst lush and scenic routes, breathing in fresh air. As avid trail runner Rahul Kumar from Mumbai sums it up,

“Trails are where I can be wild and free, and feel the elements in their most raw form. Exploring a trail refreshes and recharges me.”

Getting StartedIf you’re considering getting into the sport, here are a few tips to consider.

Navigating terrain: Trail running is all about maintaining good control and stability over varied, often rugged terrain. While running uphill or downhill, short strides are best as they minimize effort and help save energy. It also means less pressure on your knees.

Food and hydration: The formula for this is similar to that of road running. It is important to carry your own hydration pack and stock up on high-energy foods like nuts and dried fruit (dates and raisins work well). And like they say for any race, do not experiment on race day; all trial and error must be done during training.

Go slow: Trails can be tricky unlike the smooth tarmac you encounter during a road run. So make sure to maintain a steady pace. Sure footed, agile and easy does it. On a trail it’s not as much about the speed as it is about the endurance and focus that keeps you going along a trail.

Safety first: Like any other sport, injuries are part of the game. Except this one doesn’t necessarily have a wide audience or a medic on call. Because trail runs tend to be long and take place in remote areas, the distances between aid stations and emergency care can have a longer response time. That’s why it’s important to know some basic first aid in case of an emergency.

Trail Running Gear:

It’s kind of like going camping or hiking. So a big part of a safe trail run is packing the right gear that will ensure you’re doing it right as well as keeps you prepared in case of an unlikely incident.

Footwear: Trail running shoes differ from regular running and hiking shoes in terms of their grip, protection, comfort and stability. A good-gripped shoe with lugged soles helps in getting a firm hold over rocks, gravel, mud and uneven terrain. Another important thing to factor is the protection of these trail shoes. On trails, you are prone to come across hard surfaces – a strong shield protects the foot, especially the heel and toe from the constant impact.

Watch: Tracking your run, in terms of pace, distance and time, is extremely important if you want to record your run as a competitive athlete. Look for a watch with a good compass, navigation and trackback option. A timepiece with a GPS feature will offer information on the elevation of the terrain and helps in planning your run better. Most crucial is the trackback navigational feature that allows you to retrace your path to the start, in case you wander off-trail.

Cell phone: Trail running is all about losing yourself in the beauty of nature, but do not take that literally. A fully-charged mobile is essential to stay connected, especially during an emergency. In case you get lost or head off the trail, you can use your inbuilt phone apps like the compass and google maps to get you back on track. And at the end of the day, this is a trail run amidst nature, you are bound to come across some beautiful frames you may want to click on your phone camera as you go along.

Whistle: Losing your way along a trail can be scary. It can get quite dark in the depths of a route in a thick forest even if you are right in the middle of the day – thus making getting back on track quite difficult. A whistle helps in signaling your group/fellow runners to your whereabouts. Blowing a whistle is a lot easier and louder than screaming your lungs out for help!

Hydration pack: Hydration is the most important thing in any kind of activity. A handheld bottle or hydration pack is a must-have. Pro Tip: Any trail that lasts over 90 minutes requires constant energy to keep going. Pack enough energy bars, gels, salt tablets, electrolytes, fruits, and dried fruit and nuts.

Apparel and accessories: Pick weather-appropriate clothing. Shorts or tights and lightweight shirt/top; preferably in dri-FIT fabric for sun-drenched runs. In cooler places, go with merino wool that warms you yet is lightweight. Remember to layer with a jacket and light gloves, if needed. In the mountains, a light buff is helpful to keep the ears and face cozy and dust-free. Shades and a wide-brimmed hat will protect you from the sun during long runs. And always trust Baz Luhrmann on the sunscreen. A waist pack is handy for snacks, cash or a phone.

Trail Running Events in India
When it comes to this sport, India has a lot to offer with its varied terrain and natural diversity.

Run the Rann: Set in Gujarat’s pristine Rann of Kutch desert, the event is five years old and has seen good participation.

Running on the white desert is nothing short of an adventure and the runners often get a chance to spot wildlife during the race.

Run the Rann offers three different races (51km, 101km, and 161km) and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The race takes you through the salt marshes, cracked deserts and forested islands of Great Rann of Kutch where you might encounter wildlife like black cobras, monitor lizards and variety of birds. One can also spot many birds especially Flamingos around the picturesque white desert. Run the Runn 2019 has been canceled, but the team has promised to come back with a bigger event in 2020.

Nilgiris Ultra: The Nilgiris Ultra has four categories of distances of 25km, 50km, 75km, and 100km, and is a qualifier for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) race – a single-stage ultramarathon held in Europe. Set in the misty Nilgiris of the Western Ghats, the race is challenging with gorgeous views of the blue hills.

Kaveri Trail Marathon: Kaveri Trail Marathon started off as a training run for the first edition of the Bangalore Ultra. It soon transformed into a full-fledged racing event. Held at the beautiful, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna, Bangalore, and this marathon offers a tough course and scenic vantage points along the banks of the canal of river Kaveri. This is the main attraction for the runners across India. KTM, as it is fondly referred to by runners, is famous for testing the limits of runners.

Uttarkashi 135: 2019 will see the sixth edition of the Uttarkashi 135 ultra run in Uttarakhand. Considered one of the most challenging mountain trail races in India, the 135 km route takes runners on a mesmerizing journey across Uttarakhand’s quaint villages, Himalayan peaks and along the banks of the Ganges. The race starts with a 10-kilometer ascent and descent that takes the runner through quaint Himalayan villages and mountain peaks and they also run alongside the river Ganges. This race is great for anyone wanting to test their endurance level.

La Ultra: Have you ever thought of running 333km in 72 hours at an altitude of over 17,500ft? If so, La Ultra, held in mountain passes of Ladakh, is for you. From the picturesque Nubra Valley to the treacherous terrain of the Khardung La pass and finally to the majestic Indus River – completing this trail is a high of another kind altogether.

Join the Club
If you are keen to start your trail running journey, it’s a good idea to join a runner’s club or local group. If you are in Mumbai, you can join Unived Trail Runners Club, they explore beautiful trails close to Mumbai and also guide on running in the hills and nutrition.

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2019/01/08/how-to-start-trail-running-india/feed/04957Welcome 2019, The Outdoorsy Wayhttp://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2018/12/26/welcome-2019-the-outdoorsy-way/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2018/12/26/welcome-2019-the-outdoorsy-way/#respondWed, 26 Dec 2018 02:30:45 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=4954New Year’s Eve is all about getting merry and ending the year on a happy note, in anticipation for all the good things to welcome. For most of us, the new years equals vacations at exotic locations, all night parties or chilling at home in front of the television, isn’t it? Spending your evening indoors is nice and all, but celebrating it outdoors is way more fun. Losing yourself in the serenity of nature, making new dreams under the starry sky or creating new goals amidst the mountains can set a beautiful note for the way you plan the rest of your year. Here are five fun and easy ways to celebrate the new year, the Outdoorsy way.

Star Gazing Is Our Favourite

This New Year’s Eve, escape into the glittering sky full of stars. Stargazing is a great way to be in the outdoors amidst the beautiful night sky. Spend the last day of the year snuggled under your blanket watching the sky unfold its magic. For stargazing, you need a place that is free of light pollution and has a clear sky. Head out of the city, into the outskirts, pitch a tent in the meadows and gaze away. You can also crash at a friend’s terrace for the night and with the help of some fun astro gadgets and apps track the stars and constellations.

Camping in Style

Camping is an exhilarating way to bring in the New Year, away from the hustle bustle of the city. Staying in a tent amidst nature is a rejuvenating experience that would not only soothe your soul but also your mind. We are blessed to have many camping friendly places that are open to travellers across India from North to South, East to West. You can choose from one-day to multi-day camping experiences based on your preference. The great Western Ghats and Himalayas are ideal camping destinations.

Paraglide Your Way into 2019

Fly high and bring in the new year as you soar like a bird. Open up your wings and glide through the sky as you welcome the new year navigating the sky as you Paraglide. You will see the world in a way that you would have never imagined. Perhaps, this perspective can also inspire some new goals you’d like to see yourself achieving. Two of the popular places to consider for New Year’s Paragliding trip are Kamshet, near Mumbai and Bir Billing in Himachal. This New Year, go on, fly high and conquer the world.

Trekking Does It

There is a certain kind of happiness that you get when you are surrounded by nature, isn’t it? Welcome the New Year by losing yourself in the serenity of the mountains. Trekking is a great way to have some me-time and to ponder on your life. So go ahead, take the road less traveled, climb up the steep paths to get mesmerized with the magnificent view of the mountains. You can choose from shorter day treks in and around your neighborhood to longer, tougher ones that will challenge your mind and body. The Sahyadris closer to home in Maharashtra, the Dhauladhar range up north in the Kangra valley or the entire Himalayan region in the north-east of India are great spots to bring in the new year on a trek.

More Nature Walks

Welcome the first sunrise of New Year with a long walk. Let’s bring back the old world charm of ambling along those forgotten trails, those little neighbourhood lanes. Nature walks are the best and easiest way to be outdoorsy really. And if you keep your senses open, you’ll discover little things about the local plants, flowers, birds and animals, that will amaze you and refresh your soul. According to the studies, going on nature walks is an excellent way of boosting self-esteem, stamina, and endurance. Even more reason for starting the year walking on a nature trail walks, isn’t it?

]]>http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2018/12/26/welcome-2019-the-outdoorsy-way/feed/04954On Assingment for Tour of Nilgiris 2018 : Part 3http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2018/12/18/on-assingment-for-tour-of-nilgiris-2018-part-3/
http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/2018/12/18/on-assingment-for-tour-of-nilgiris-2018-part-3/#respondTue, 18 Dec 2018 06:25:33 +0000http://letsbeoutdoorsy.com/?p=4939LBO is at Tour of Nilgiris 2018 sharing all the live action from Mysuru. It’s almost time for the tour to come to an end. Everyone has mixed feelings, the happiness of completing the bike tour and the sigh of leaving. The riders have had a time of their lives these 8 days. Read on to know more about the last few days.

Ooty to Kalpetta

The riders went whirling all the way down today. Heading towards Pykarra with the wind blockers on, it was an epic downhill ride. They rode the gradual Naduvattam – Gudalur rolling terrain instead of steep Kalhatti. Leaving behind the tea estates of Ooty, the rider’s rode around 140 kms back to Kerala. It was admirable to see how skilful the riders are in tackling the downhill ride.

Kalpetta to Mysuru

This was the last stretch and the riders went back to from where they started. Covering a total of 66kms today, they cherished this last ride as they were passing through teak forests and riding parallel to the river Kabini. They let the fresh air filter their minds and the happy vibes soak in as they headed back. At the lunch point the cycles were wrapped up and the cyclists were taken via a bus to Mysuru for the cool off party.

It’s Party Time

The riders can hardly get out of their beds; some of them are battered but celebration are in order and they are all up for the madness ahead. It has been a hell of a tour and after tonight, each one of the them has a marvelous story to tell. The riders were felicitated at the award ceremony and infinte pictures were taken. Everybody indulged in a lavish dinner and dancing, remember these guys have controlled their diet, maintained their nutrition and now it was time to indulge in the feast! And then hit the dance floor. The whole experience of sharing memories with the riders and core team has been splendid. We’re taking back a box of memories with us which kept us warm in the cold winters. We learnt, we worked, we lived, this couldn’t get better. Looking forward to next TfN tour; until then it’s a wrap!